2. Crossing the border to another country (S.A.) in the same amount of time it might take you to drive from Magnolia, AR to Conway, AR or from Tyler, TX to Stephenville, TX .

3. Seeing all the things that African women carry on their heads (and backs). You rarely see a woman carrying things in her arms - her arms are free - she carries her burdens on her head. You can find them carrying anything from a case of cokes to a Bible to firewood to an axe - and usually she has a baby tied on her back.

4. People buying chicken beaks and chicken feet - to eat! They really do eat these.

5. Seeing signs cautioning drivers they are in a hippo crossing area.

6. Seeing poinsettias growing and blooming in huge bushes along the roadside.

7. That no one is really surprised when the water or electricity or both is off for long periods of time. (You just keep water stored up to use to flush the toilets.) Let me just say, even though it's not surprising, it is still very annoying.

8. You must greet people you meet with hello, how are you......whether it's the immigration officer at the border, the person you are buying bread from or the person pumping your gas. You are considered rude if you do not greet.

9. You aren't allowed to pump your own gas at the gas station. A gas station attendant does that. That is his (or her) job!

10. October means it's starting to warm up down here in the southern hemisphere! Summer's a comin soon!

7 comments:

Did you know that K'ek'chi women in Guatemala also carry everything on their head? I used to practice walking with a basket on my head when I was younger. I'm sure if I would have continued, I'd have better posture today.

I feel so blessed that I have been able to see some of the things you describe. And I expect to see you carrying your suitcase on your head the next time you come to the States.With Abby on your back. ;)(btw, did you know you're not allowed to pump your own gas in Oregon, either? It's against the law. And they have no sales tax!)

See, 10 on the 10th is not only fun but educational. I had no idea about some of these things...like hippo crossings and baboons!

I'm with Kecia. Fully expect you to carry your suitcase on your head in the US. BTW, what do you typically carry on your head anyway? If I had to carry a case of cokes, I'm pretty sure that case would NOT make it much further than a few feet without expoding into a giant mess!

I just put Todd's pictures in a book from his trip to Moz last summer and was amazed at the things the women carry on their heads! Is there a class for this?? I'm thinking this has to be much easier on your back??

So very cool, Angie. Thanks for the glimpse! I, for one, think it would be grand if folks greeted one another. And did you know that the great state of OR doesn't allow self pumping at the gas station, either? It's a bit of an adjustment when we visit "down south".

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I started this blog while we lived in Africa,then last year after almost 15 years overseas we moved back to the U.S.A.. In the midst of lots of change God has remained faithful. This blog is a way I can continue to communicate with far-away friends and also record the story of our lives. I'm a 40 something mother of 4 - three of whom are teens and wife to my college sweetheart.